Love & Jane movie review

MOVIE TITLE: Love & Jane

While this romantic comedy is being featured on the Hallmark Channel (through Peacock), the movie can also be streamed on Philo and Fubo.

RATING: TVG

LENGTH: 1 hour 30 minutes

Movie Review Mom GRADE: B-

IN A NUTSHELL:

The story is about a woman who is a literary enthusiast who works at an ad agency and runs a Jane Austen book club on the side. When she wishes Jane Austen could help her with life decisions, the famous author materializes and offers tips for love.

The Hallmark channel is featuring movies about Jane Austen fans during February. They’re calling it “Love-uary.”

The story was written and directed by David Weaver.

THINGS I LIKED:

The diverse cast includes Alison Sweeney, Benjamin Ayres, Kendra Anderson, Aadila Dosani, and more.
Many of the characters represent those in Jane Austen’s books.
It’s nice to see a romance with a woman who isn’t 20.
If you love the famous lines in Jane Austen novels, you’ll enjoy how often they’re quoted in the movie. You’ll definitely feel the passion for her books.
As an author of 31 books, myself, I’m always fascinated by movies about authors and where writers get their inspiration.
The last scene is pretty cute and a wink to something that Jane Austen said earlier in the film.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

There’s an odd, dusty filter on every scene. Is that supposed to make the modern world feel old?
The dialogue feels so stilted.
So many awkward acting moments.
It takes a long time before we see Jane Austen appear in the film.
The actor who plays the Darcy character looked more like a villain than a romantic lead.
Sadly, I didn’t feel any chemistry between the two leads.
A side story halts the pacing.
Lilly’s character acted like a young, awkward girl rather than an older woman settled in her career.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Kids will be extremely bored unless they’re big Jane Austen fans.
We see a lot of cleavage.
Alcohol
No profanity. Yay!

THEMES:

Love
Romance
Literature
Female support and friendship
Jane Austen’s books
Marketing
The value of a print book and bookstore versus buying digital copies online

FUNNY LINES:

“You really are not of this century, are you?” – Martin (Matthew Kevin Anderson) “Well, who wants to be? Tik Tok is something a clock does. Everything that’s wrong with the world started with that first website.” – Lilly (Alison Sweeney)
“You’re so Mr. Collins right now.” – Lilly (Alison Sweeney)

INTERESTING LINES:

“You can’t just trade out one Jane Austen novel for another. They are all unique.” – Lilly (Alison Sweeney)
“She has the perfect quote for every occasion.” – Lilly (Alison Sweeney)
“I do have goals but I want to get there on my own.” – Lilly (Alison Sweeney)
“Most of Jane’s writing is about how you shouldn’t be forced to do something you don’t want.” – Lilly (Alison Sweeney)
“Do anything rather than marry without affection.” – Lilly (Alison Sweeney)
“I was brought up in my family to respect someone who could make a most excellent argument.” – Jane Austen (Kendra Anderson)
“I guess that’s the thing about being a reader is you kind of get lost in the imaginary life that it helps you discover what you love in the real world.” – Trevor (Benjamin Ayres)
“I think we can’t only look to novels for life lessons. I think the novels are trying to tells us we need to figure it out on our own.” – Lilly (Alison Sweeney)

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Paging Mr. Darcy: https://moviereviewmom.com/paging-mr-darcy-movie-review/ You can actually see the same Benjamin Ayres driving a golf cart in this movie!)